Whitehead said Bateman, who has been named to make his NRL debut at lock for Sunday's clash with the Gold Coast Titans, was well prepared for his first taste of club rugby league in Australia.

"It didn't take him long to settle in, he's a lively character and tries to crack a few jokes," Whitehead said.

"We have to pretend they're funny and that we like him. In all seriousness he's settled in well and is looking good. Hopefully he can perform now. It's what he came over to do and he's got his chance now.

"Him and Ryan Sutton struggled early on with the heat. You're running eight kilometres every day in 38-degree weather but after two weeks they were conditioned and in results they were up there with some of our better trainers.

"This was my fourth pre-season now and I still feel it but I'm a little bit better than when I first arrived."

Whitehead is contracted to the club until the end of the 2020 season and will be 31 by the end of next year.

Any plans to return to the UK and follow England teammate Gareth Widdop home before his deal runs out seem unlikely.

Titans v Raiders - Round 1

"I'd be happy to stay here. I really enjoy Canberra and I'm swinging towards staying in Australia more than what I used to," Whitehead said.

"It's a nice lifestyle, the weather isn't too bad and it's easier getting up in the morning when it's not minus four and you don't have to shovel snow off your driveway.

"As long as I'm playing well and the Raiders are happy to keep me on I'd be happy to stay. I'm getting old anyway they might not want me. I probably won't start speaking to the club until early next year."